Russian authorities unilaterally decided to alter the country’s maritime borders with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea, as per a draft government decree on the legal acts portal, as reported by The Moscow Times. The document, from the Russian Defense Ministry, outlines Russia’s plan to designate part of the waters in the eastern Gulf of Finland and areas near Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region as internal waters. To achieve this goal, Russia adjusted the geographical coordinates defining the baselines used to measure the width of its territorial sea and adjacent zone along the coast and islands.
A Russian Defense Ministry proposal to alter the Russian border in the Baltic Sea was removed from an official document portal on May 22.
“The draft is deleted,” the site said on the address where the document had earlier been visible, according to Reuters.
The document details a change in the geographical coordinates that define the baselines from which Russia’s territorial sea and the adjacent zone along the coast and islands are measured. Specific areas mentioned for adjustment include the islands of Yagry, Sommers, Hogland, Rodsher, Maly Tyuters, Vigrund, and the vicinity of the northern entrance cape of the Narva River at the border with Finland. At the Lithuanian border, modifications are proposed around the Curonian Spit in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Cape Taran, and the Baltic Spit.
This controversial initiative effectively “invalidates” a 40-year-old decree by the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, which until now regulated the maritime borders in the Baltic. The timing of this announcement has raised eyebrows, coinciding almost precisely with the initiation of Russian military exercises involving the use of tactical nuclear weapons. These drills, which include the deployment of “Iskander” complexes and “Kinzhal” missiles, are described as preparations for the employment of non-strategic nuclear weapons in response to “provocative statements and threats from certain Western officials.”
The unprecedented nature of Russia’s maritime boundary claims has not yet elicited official comments from the Finnish and Lithuanian foreign ministries. However, the implications of this move extend beyond the Baltic Sea. It demonstrates Russia’s willingness to enforce its strategic interests unilaterally, potentially setting a precedent for similar actions in other disputed areas.
Meanwhile, the situation in the region remains volatile with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine acknowledging that a Russian offensive in the Sumy region, after Kharkiv, cannot be entirely dismissed. The defense forces are on high alert, with strengthened defenses preparing for possible escalations. This development underscores the broader context of tension along Russia’s borders with its neighbors.
Amid these heightened military activities, debates regarding the use of Western-supplied weapons have emerged. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has affirmed Ukraine’s restraint from striking Russian territory with Western arms, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has advocated for giving Ukraine more freedom to target Russian forces, criticizing the self-imposed restrictions that he perceives as unilateral obedience to rules not followed by Russia.
The Council of the European Union’s recent endorsement to use proceeds from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine further complicates the geopolitical landscape, signaling a collective move to hold Russia financially accountable for its actions.
Relevant articles:
– The Moscow Times: Russia unilaterally decides to redraw maritime borders with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea – Euromaidan Press, euromaidanpress.com, 05/22/2024
– «Can not be ruled out» : State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on the threat of Russian offensive on Sumy region., UAZMI – Ukraine News, 05/21/2024
– Ukraine has never struck territory of Russian Federation with Western weapons – Zelenskyy., UAZMI – Ukraine News, 05/21/2024
– Ukraine should be given more freedom to strike targets in Russia – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis., UAZMI – Ukraine News, 05/21/2024
– Council of the EU approves using revenues from frozen Russian assets in support of Ukraine., UAZMI – Ukraine News, 05/21/2024
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